Gan Sacher – Page 9 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Best of Jerusalem Marathon 2016

March 22, 2016rjstreets

The sixth International Jerusalem Marathon was run on Friday morning.

The loudspeakers from the starting line near the Knesset

made for an early morning wake-up in Jerusalem, Israel.

As the 2600 full marathon runners raced by,

one man waved,

some were already feeling the inclines,

and others not yet.

International and varied participants ran

along with Batman and Superman.

As every year, entertainers were at the starting line

wearing the colors of the runners’ countries and cheering.

Again the finish line for the full marathon was in

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, with hundreds lined up to watch.

But there were other races, a half marathon, 10k and more.

30,000 people were entered in the races

and many more times that number supported the runners.

In the park loud music blasted,

racers drummed,

or just fooled around.

The day started out cool and cloudy,

but the sun came out and the weather warmed up.

The marathon is so much more pleasant without rain.

The mud holes were appreciated by at least one young man,

but they were nothing compared to the first marathon.

The three winners of the men’s full marathon came from Kenya

and as usual were interviewed by press.

Their times were amazing when you consider the Jerusalem terrain

with its physically challenging hills.

However,

the participants of the shorter races were also impressive,

as for some this event is a chance to get up and out,

and show their abilities, not their disabilities.

Large sums were raised for dozens of good causes,

by organizations and supporters of all ages,

and the international goodwill – priceless.

Coming into the park after their shorter races were 27,000 runners.

Congratulations

and smiles,

runners in larger groups,

or smaller ones,

or going to the finish line alone,

filled the Jerusalem streets.

As I was finally heading home,

the 10k walkers were nearing the finish line,

very proud of their accomplishment.

But, my favorite from this marathon,

with 30,000 runners from all over the world,

was Bruno, from Brazil, the Tourist of the Week.

Bruno not only smiled and slowed to wave during the race,

but later shared that he and Adriana got engaged

at the Kotel, the Western Wall, before Shabbat.

Mazel tov to Adriana and Bruno,

and to all those who made this year’s event special,

bigger and better, even if it is exhausting.

For all those upset with street closings who stayed home,

sorry.

Here are links to more photos,

see what you missed:

Facebook photos Marathon 2016

Finish line 2016

Finally, take the time to compare:

Jerusalem Marathon 2014

Jerusalem Marathon 2013

I have seen them all and the half marathon before.

I think it is great so many of thousands also now appreciate,

the real Jerusalem streets.

Beer Sheva: Old and New City

July 15, 2015rjstreets

So much in Jerusalem, Israel, is old and new.

We used to joke that a good friend is defined as

someone who leaves Jerusalem to visit you in Beer Sheva.

With family in Beer Sheva, over the years,

we have visited the desert city many times.

I used to say the only place that was green was this cemetery.

The Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery,

or the ANZAC cemetery, as most of the British soldiers

buried here were Australian and New Zealanders,

who fell in the World War I battles against the Turks,

ending the domination of the Ottoman Empire.

But things are changing,

Carasso Science Park opened in 2013,

and is the largest science park in Israel.

Remembering the British,

is Allenby Garden.

The park was established in early 1900s by the Turks,

After WWI, it became a memorial to General Edmund Allenby,

was destroyed during the Arab uprising in 1929,

and was finally rebuilt in 2014.

One day when it is not so hot,

it would be interesting to follow the ANZAC trail.

Across the road is the Negev Museum of Art,

the main art museum in southern Israel,

housed in what was the 20th century Governor’s house.

The current exhibit is called,

“Pulp and Fiction”

where all pieces are made out of paper.

“Lost Forest” by Jan Fairbairn-Edwards of France

and “The Burmese Story” by Naama Aaronson of Israel

are just two of the works.

Who knew that paper art was started 35 years ago

at the Beer Sheva Station of the old Turkish railway?

More of the old city and new

in the same area is the one mosque,

built by the Turks.

It went unused as a mosque for decades,

and was the city’s Archaeological Museum.

Since 2011, it has been home to the

Museum of Islamic and Near Eastern Cultures.

Ancient stones with Thuluth, Arabic and Kufic script

are in the courtyard.

Inside the restored mosque,

is the current exhibit of old prayer rugs,

with new glass lamps decorated in Arabic hanging above them.

A Turkish flag flies at the Train Yard Compound

which was restored and opened in 2014.

Bedouins are still around.

Going into and out of Beer Sheva

one can see the old and new,

with the new train track over the old Turkish one.

But it is at Be’er Avraham,

Abraham’s Well,

located near the Beer Sheva River,

that one can really appreciate the old and new.

An international visitor center,

showcasing the life of Avraham Avinu,

in a 3D presentation, opened in 2013.

In old days, to get to Beer Sheva,

it seemed it took as long as a camel trip,

standing on those Egged buses

on hot Friday afternoons.

With the new modern highways going to Beer Sheva,

it is not like it used to be,

see the Old City and new neighborhoods.

but we will have to find another way to define good friends.

Israel Booming: From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to Beer Sheva

June 24, 2015rjstreets

Impossible.

It is impossible to compress all that has happened

this past week into a 30-second blog post.

Complexity has to be cut to a sound bite, while

we keep trying to share what the mainstream media misses.

The President of Cyprus was visiting,

and his country’s flag hung on Jerusalem, Israel streets.

I wonder what dignitaries see of what is really happening.

Did the President meet regular Israelis?

Did you know he was here?

Or that the German Bundestag President is speaking at the Knesset?

Most people just read of “conflict” and troubles,

but construction is booming.

Huge cranes fill the skylines.

The Museum of Tolerance is above ground,

the construction site is busy with dozens of Arab workers.

In Tel Aviv, more towers are under construction,

two are going up near the Google office.

The flatland of the Negev is such a contrast

to the Judean Hills of Jerusalem.

For the shmita year, some farmers are taking

the sabbatical year literally, leaving the land untended.

But in the Negev,

the Bedouin town of Rahat is booming,

and Soda Stream’s new plant stretches out in the sand nearby.

A few kilometers down the road

there is a new sign welcoming visitors to the new Beersheva.

The once sleepy desert town is the largest city in the Negev.

Beersheva is booming with new neighborhoods,

new business and new cultural life.

After the hundreds of rockets from Gaza last summer,

Beersheva homes are getting new safe rooms.

There were so many sleepless nights due to red alert sirens

announcing the oncoming missiles that

home bomb shelters are being installed.

Will running to a safe spot be the summer activity again?

There was another rocket last night in the south,

and it was not the first of the season.

The UNHRC has released its report.

Did they take into account the millions of Israelis

living under terrible conditions last summer?

“I believe in PEACE” says this sticker on a Jerusalem crossing.

Everyone hopes those rockets from Gaza,

and the explosions on the Golan border will stop.

Big plans for this summer.

The start-up nation is booming.

Weddings and end-of-year school performances fill the evenings.

No bombs and rockets are welcome.

Nothing is simple,

but like this Jerusalem bus sign,

here’s wishing all a good and safe trip.